World’s Largest Vacuum to Suck CO2 Out of the Air Just Opened in Iceland

The largest plant designed to extract climate-warming Pollution from the air began operations on May 8 in Hellisheiði, Iceland. Dubbed “Mammoth,” this plant is a significant stride in the fight against Climate change, representing the latest innovation from Swiss company Climeworks.

Source: Climeworks/YouTube

“Mammoth” is Climeworks’ second commercial direct air capture (DAC) plant in Iceland, and it’s ten times the size of its predecessor, Orca, which started in 2021. DAC technology works by drawing in air and using chemicals to strip out carbon dioxide. This carbon is then either stored underground or repurposed.

Climeworks has partnered with Icelandic firm Carbfix to transport and store the captured carbon underground, where it will naturally transform into stone, locking the carbon away permanently. The entire process is powered by Iceland’s plentiful geothermal energy, ensuring it remains environmentally friendly.

This innovative technology is gaining traction among governments and industries as carbon dioxide levels continue to rise, reaching a record high in 2023. As global temperatures climb, scientists stress the importance of removing existing carbon from the atmosphere alongside reducing fossil fuel use.

However, carbon removal technologies like DAC face criticism for being expensive and energy-intensive. Some argue these methods may detract from efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption directly. Despite these concerns, Climeworks is pushing forward, showcasing the potential of DAC technology.

Mammoth’s modular design, with space for 72 “collector containers,” allows for scalability and flexibility. Currently, 12 containers are operational, with more to be added. At full capacity, Mammoth aims to remove 36,000 tons of carbon annually, equivalent to taking 7,800 gas-powered cars off the road each year.

While Climeworks did not disclose the exact cost per ton of carbon removed, estimates suggest it’s closer to $1,000 per ton. The goal is to reduce costs to $300-$350 per ton by 2030 and eventually to $100 per ton by 2050.

Mammoth marks a crucial step in global carbon capture efforts. Although current capabilities are modest compared to the scale needed, advancements like Mammoth are essential in addressing Climate change. Climeworks aims to scale its operations significantly, targeting 1 million tons of carbon removal annually by 2030 and 1 billion tons by 2050, with plans for future plants in Kenya and the United States.

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